Book review - One hundred shades of white

One Hundred Shades of White by Preethi Nair
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Very well written, with two protagonists - mother and daughter, telling their stories, giving their own perspectives to the same situation. A beautiful concept wonderfully executed!
It is about culture conflicts and how one adapts oneself to changing cultural environments depending on ones upbringing. It also establishes a relationship between aromas with memories and attitudes. All this is beautifully delineated in the characters uniquely woven.
It is also about women empowerment and how when the going gets tough women get tougher and their capability to cope and own the situations.
A book that brings out the Devi or Goddess in every woman who can work miracles, also how the woman is responsible for being the glue for families to stay together despite adversities.

A must read for a joyful, insightful roller coaster ride of emotions.


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Book review - Jupiter's Travels

Jupiter's Travels by Ted Simon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A four year journey through forty five countries covering 125530 kms or 78000 miles round the world on two wheels, alone! Wow!
I journeyed vicariously through his writing despite his unavoidable biases and preconceived notions about third world countries. It is a honest, down to earth write about the pains and pleasures of travel and the lessons learnt.
It is only when one travels alone, that too on two wheels, does one open up oneself to all the vagaries of nature and its inhabitants.
One has to keep in mind that this was done in the seventies when riding round the world was not a style statement nor was there any instant assistance available via global positioning systems and smart phones were maybe a distant dream making communication a luxury.
It is a book for everyone to read whether one is a rider, traveller or a mere armchair traveller to enable widen ones mental horizons.
The book is not about destinations so dont look for vivid descriptions about countries he passed through. It is more about the culture, attitude of the people, the common on-the-street people that make up this world and their reactions to what he is doing.


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